Award-winning B.C. singer reflects on 50-year career many told him couldn't happen

Joe Coughlin was born semi-paralyzed on his right side, a condition that led many to tell him he wouldn't make it as a jazz singer. He didn't listen.

“I was on crutches back in those days,” Joe says, sitting in his motorized wheelchair, smiling at the black-and-white photos of his younger self.

The then-five-year-old — who was born semi-paralyzed on his right side — spent two years as the charity’s public spokesperson.

“As my dad says, ‘You got addicted to applause at a very early age,’” Joe laughs.

More than adulation, it was an appreciation for syncopation that lead Joe to pursue drumming.

“One night, I was playing in my rock band and the lead singer had a cold, so I took over for him and started singing,” Joe recalls. “I had never done it in front of an audience before.”

Joe ended up being so good, he eventually became the band’s frontman, despite his family suggesting he consider law.

“I said, ‘No. I want to go out on the road and play rock and roll!’” Joe laughs.

So Joe did, for about a decade, before he started feeling too old for rock. He began singing jazz and was told by legendary bandleader Dizzy Gillespie that he had a gift.